where ½Aaq and ½Abead is the solute concentration in the aqueous
phase and microbead phase respectively. K is the equilibrium constant
and can be calculated using Eq. (3) (Meites, 1981). Partition
theory can relate the affinity of a compound for one of two immiscible
phases. If no interaction occurs between the microbeads and
compounds, at equilibrium the solute concentration in both phases
should be equal. However, if an affinity exists it is expected that at
equilibrium, solute concentration in the microbead should be greater
than its concentration in the aqueous phase.